The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: mab on October 20, 2014, 10:21:35 am

Title: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: mab on October 20, 2014, 10:21:35 am

my first trip to the abattoir - Neil in Tregaron - All fine once I found the place (seemed to have the wrong address for the satnav).


Still trying not to think about my poor little lad too much  :(  -


but on a more practical level, I am wondering how much freezer space I need. If I empty the small fridge-sized freezer will it take it all, or should I fire up the big chest freezer before collection? He weighed about 47Kg (but may have been a bit fat)

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Bionic on October 20, 2014, 10:31:55 am

Glad you got him there ok. Yes, the place is a bit difficult to find the first time.
The fridge sized freezer will be fine. He is larger than those I have sent but they only take up a couple of drawers.

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: mab on October 20, 2014, 10:43:54 am

Good, thanks  :) .


It'll be strange having lamb - I can't afford to buy it in the shops.

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Backinwellies on October 20, 2014, 01:49:58 pm

Well done Marcus. Isn't easy the first time. Lamb on menu 3 x a week here now! OK

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Bramblecot on October 20, 2014, 02:00:09 pm

It will get easier (I can't believe how my attitude has changed ??? ).
You will probably get about 22lb weight in joints and the meat will fill about 2 - 2 1/2 drawers depending on how it is cut.  Are you getting back the skin?  Easy to salt at home and send away for tanning :thumbsup: , and now is the right time of year.

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Foobar on October 20, 2014, 02:04:49 pm

I think you meant 22kg Bramblecot  :).  Probably a drawer or a drawer and a half's worth.  Depending on how big your drawers are :D.

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Treud na Mara on October 20, 2014, 03:16:01 pm

'Depending how big your drawers are'

 :roflanim: :roflanim:

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Bramblecot on October 20, 2014, 05:43:03 pm

Sorry :-[ - I did mean kg, not lbs!  I was so excited, rushing out to collect my bargain hurdles at £8 each :excited: :thumbsup: .  Our Shetland x ram lambs are currently weighing 38 - 40 kg and booked in for next week :yum: .

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: mab on October 20, 2014, 09:01:16 pm

leaving aside the size of my drawers ::) , I had the thought that it may be worth firing up the big freezer on the day anyway, as it's much more powerful and will freeze 22Kg-ish a lot faster than the efficient but low-powered small freezer.


I never thought about the skin, but he's an easycare - and I'm not sure they make good skins as they shed all the time? - I'm still covered in little hairs from handling him this am.


Ooh - where do you find hurdles at that price? I need a few lot more.

Title: Re: well my lad's gone to the abattoir today
Post by: Bramblecot on October 21, 2014, 12:02:30 am

Mab,

They were a lucky find on e-bay, and very  local ;D .  The family are moving and last week they burnt the wooden hayracks and troughs :o , what a waste.